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Information & Alerts

December 18, 2023

Important Announcement: DWI Checkpoint 12/18/2023

DWI Checkpoint

Make sure you have a designated driver, also known as a DD. Your choices matter, and they can save lives.

Over the years, we've received some common questions and comments, and we'd like to address them:

Question: Are DWI Checkpoints legally required to be publicly announced?

Answer: Contrary to popular belief, there is no legal requirement to publicly announce them in advance. The law mandates the announcement of a "checkpoint ahead" at the actual checkpoint location (refer to the posted picture).

Question: Why announce the checkpoint? Won't that prevent catching offenders?

Answer: Our primary goal is to PREVENT drinking and driving. We hope this announcement will deter individuals from driving impaired. Taxi companies, Uber drivers, and others report increased business on checkpoint nights. The announcement works, and we also conduct roving DWI patrols throughout the parish.

Comment: DWI Checkpoints violate my rights.

Answer: The U.S. Supreme Court disagrees with this notion.

Comment: You're just doing this for revenue, issuing tickets, and making arrests.

Answer: This perception changes when you or a loved one has been a victim of a drunk driver. Despite conspiracy theories, we conduct these checkpoints to save lives, not for financial gain. If we can save even one life this weekend, it's worthwhile. It could be your life or that of your loved ones.

Question: How is this funded?

Answer: Manpower for checkpoints and additional patrols is funded through a grant from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Comment: This is a waste of taxpayer money.

Answer: Opinions vary, but a majority of our residents support these efforts.

Comment: Thank you for your work. We appreciate our deputies!

Answer: We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support. Washington Parish has outstanding citizens!

Sheriff Randy Seal's message: "We urge everyone to make responsible choices, not just this weekend, but always. If you've consumed alcohol, do not drive. Have a designated driver. It's effective. If all else fails, call us, and we will ensure you have a safe ride."

Stay safe, Washington Parish! Let's make the roads safer together.

November 28, 2023

PROPERTY TAX OVERVIEW

Property tax notices are normally mailed during the last week of November for that taxable year. For example, property taxes for 2023 become due upon receipt of the notice and become delinquent if not paid by December 31, 2023.

The amount of property tax due is based upon your tax rate and taxable assessment. The tax is calculated by multiplying the taxable assessment by the tax rate. The tax rate is the sum of the individual millage that were approved by voters for such purpose as fire protection, law enforcement, education, and other function of parish government. The Washington Parish Assessor’s Office determines the taxable assessment of property.

If your homestead/mortgage company usually pays your property taxes, please forward the tax notice to them for payment. If not, property taxes may be paid through several other methods:

  • Online: http://snstaxpayments.com/washington
  • Mail: 1002 Main Street, Franklinton, LA 70438
  • In-Person (Franklinton) : See Temporary In-Person Location
  • Temporary In-Person (Franklinton): 974 Washington Street (The Old Moseley Building)
  • In-Person (Bogalusa): 302 Mississippi Avenue

Information concerning payment dates or amounts paid may be obtained online, or by calling 985-839-3434

June 5, 2023

ATF Offers Reward in Series of Suspicious Fires

ATF and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal Seek the Public's Help in Series of Fires in Washington Parish

NEW ORLEANS, LA. - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New Orleans Field Division in conjunction with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office (LSFM) today announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information on a series of suspicious fires in Washington Parish during the past several years.

ATF New Orleans is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who are responsible for a series of suspicious fires in Washington Parish.

Over the past several years, a series of suspicious fires have been identified at seven (7) residential and church structures located in Washington Parish, specifically near Pine, Louisiana. There are no reported fatalities or injuries resulting from these fires.

Special Agents and Certified Fire Investigators (CFI) from the ATF New Orleans Field Division are assisting investigators in processing evidence from all the scenes.

ATF works closely with the State Fire Marshal's Office and local fire departments across Louisiana to determine the origin and cause of fires and collaboratively investigates crimes of arson.

Anyone with any information about these fires should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or the State Fire Marshal's Office at 844-954-1221.

Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF's website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson.  For more information about ATF and its programs go to www.atf.gov.

Questions?

For questions concerning copies of a notice, redemptions, or other questions regarding property tax collections, please call the Property Tax Division at 985-839-3434.

All questions concerning your assessment, changes in your mailing address, or homestead exemption must be directed to the Assessor’s office at 985-839-7815, or visit the Washington Parish Assessor’s Office located in the Parish courthouse.